Critical protection risks persist for migrant children waiting to cross the Darien
The psychosocial effects of violence, insecurity, uncertainty, separation of minors and lack of basic resources are critical, according to a needs assessment carried out by the international organization ahead of its humanitarian response.
17 December 2024A needs assessment carried out in the nearby areas of the Darien Gap by Plan International (Turbo and Necoclí municipalities) reveals the serious risks that persist and continue to be faced by children, adolescents and young people wanting to cross. This route, one of the most dangerous in the world, has become an obligatory passage for thousands of people seeking to reach North America.
“Children and adolescents who will transit through the Darien Gap aiming to reach the United States are exposed to exploitation. Begging, forced labor, and sexual exploitation are some of the risks that are aggravated when they remain on the beach and in the street until they have the resources to continue their transit”, said Pamela Escobar, Programmatic Vice President of Plan International in Colombia.
“The immediate humanitarian needs of children and adolescents persist in the Darien Gap nearby areas. It is crucial to maintain our comprehensive humanitarian responses for children and adolescents”.
Pamela Escobar, Programmatic Vice President of Plan International in Colombia
“This is due to their precarious and vulnerable situation, compromising their wellbeing and integrity. The immediate humanitarian needs of children and adolescents persist in the Darien Gap nearby areas. It is crucial to maintain our comprehensive humanitarian responses for children and adolescents”, Escobar added.
Ongoing insecurity, family separation and lack of knowledge of migratory routes aggravate mental health problems such as stress and anxiety, disproportionately affecting children and adolescents, mainly unaccompanied or separated children.
Key findigs
Violence and abuse, both physical and sexual, are identified as the most frequent risks in the assessment. “Transit through the Darien continues to expose children, adolescents and entire families to unimaginable dangers – from extreme conditions to risks of violence. Women and girls are especially vulnerable to sexual violence and lack of resources to manage their menstruation. The lack of protection and resources to defend themselves from these abuses exacerbates their situation and exposure to risk”, said Carmen Elena Alemán, Plan International’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. The assessment also highlights the lack of basic life-saving resources such as clean water, food and personal hygiene items.
“The lack of protection and resources to defend themselves from these abuses exacerbates their situation and exposure to risk”.
Carmen Elena Alemán, Plan International’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean
Insecurity is also constant in the region, manifesting itself in robberies, fraud, and extortion, mainly due to the presence of non-state armed groups (NSAGs). These conditions not only endanger the integrity of migrants but also hinder their transit through the Darién region.
The interruption of school is a critical concern as it can lead to delays in the learning process, limitations on future opportunities and even illiteracy. Children and adolescents in transit are affected in their educational and social development, exposing them to greater protection risks and perpetuating the cycle of vulnerability.
The lack of formal and non-formal education services, the absence of emergency education programs, and the lack of safe learning spaces are the main barriers in this sector.
A comprehensive response is essential to address these urgent needs, encompassing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), information on migrant rights, emergency education programs, child protection mechanisms, hygiene kits, and strategies to reduce risks during transit.
Ahead of International Migrants Day on 18 December, Plan International calls for strengthened child protection systems and comprehensive humanitarian assistance. This includes prioritizing protection, mental health support, emergency education, and essential services that address the immediate needs of children, especially girls, adolescent girls, and young women.
The organization also stresses the importance of providing clear information on transit, migration rights and protection routes available to families.
“On International Migrants Day, we remember the migrants and refugees who continue to cross the Darien jungle. We cannot let this be a forgotten crisis. It is a priority to give an urgent response in favor of migrant and refugee children who are in an extremely vulnerable situation, and this is an urgent task that involves all actors in the response,” concluded Alemán.
Over the past year, Plan International implemented two humanitarian projects in nearby areas of the Darien Gap in response to the increased migration flows, with a focus on protecting children. These projects have supported more than 10,000 migrants in transit, especially pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under the age of five. Actions included psychological first aid; distribution of nutritional supplements; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) kits with awareness-raising on safe water use; and delivery of blankets.
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